Question:medium

What will be the kinetic energy of an electron having de-Broglie wavelength 2Å?

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$E = \frach²2mλ²}$ for electron kinetic energy.
Updated On: May 24, 2026
  • 37.5 eV
  • 75 eV
  • 150 eV
  • 300 eV
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

To find the kinetic energy of an electron given its de-Broglie wavelength, we use the de-Broglie wavelength formula and the relationship between energy and momentum. The de-Broglie wavelength \(\lambda\) is given by:

\(\lambda = \frac{h}{p}\)

where \(h\) is Planck's constant, and \(p\) is the momentum of the electron.

The momentum \(p\) is related to the kinetic energy \(K\) by:

\(p = \sqrt{2mK}\)

where \(m\) is the mass of the electron.

Substituting this in the de-Broglie formula:

\(\lambda = \frac{h}{\sqrt{2mK}}\)

Squaring both sides, we have:

\(\lambda^2 = \frac{h^2}{2mK}\)

Rearranging for kinetic energy \(K\) gives:

\(K = \frac{h^2}{2m\lambda^2}\)

Let's substitute the known values:

  • Planck's constant \(h = 6.63 \times 10^{-34} \text{ Js}\)
  • Mass of an electron \(m = 9.11 \times 10^{-31} \text{ kg}\)
  • Given de-Broglie wavelength \(\lambda = 2 \ Å = 2 \ times 10^{-10} \ \text{m}\)

Substitute these values into the equation:

\(K = \frac{(6.63 \times 10^{-34})^2}{2 \times 9.11 \times 10^{-31} \times (2 \times 10^{-10})^2}\)

Calculate the kinetic energy in Joules and then convert it to electron volts:

\(K \approx 6.02 \times 10^{-18} \text{ J}\)

1 eV = \(1.6 \times 10^{-19} \text{ J}\)

So, \(K \approx \frac{6.02 \times 10^{-18}}{1.6 \times 10^{-19}} \approx 37.5 \text{ eV}\)

Hence, the kinetic energy of the electron is 37.5 eV, which confirms that the correct answer is:

37.5 eV

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